NOTICE OF SUSPENSION AND RESTITUTION (Pending Appeal)
Case No. 99-098-GA Ronald P. Derocher, P-35042, Mancelona, Michigan, by Attorney Discipline Board Grand Traverse County Hearing Panel.
1) Suspension - 180 Days; 2) Effective November 19, 1999. The hearing panel found that the allegations in the formal complaint were established by preponderance of the evidence, to wit, respondent misappropriated funds of an estate and failed to proceed with the probate matter for over five years. In another matter, respondent failed to deposit unearned fees into a client trust account, converted the fee to his personal use and failed to take any action on his client=s behalf.
Respondent=s conduct was found to be in violation of MCR 9.104(1)-(4) and Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1(c); 1.2(a); 1.3; 1.4; 1.15(a)-(c); 1.16(d) and 8.4(a)- (c). The panel ordered that respondent=s license be suspended for 180 days and that he make restitution to the complainant in the amount of $250.00. Costs were assessed in the amount of $566.94.
On November 15, 1999, the Grievance Administrator filed a petition for review which is pending before the Attorney Discipline Board. The respondent did not file a motion for a stay of discipline.